FBI investigators in front of the bullet-ridden door at the Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Jami Floyd
In Session anchor

The shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Museum by a self-described anti-government racist is just the latest example of the rising tide of hate in America. Barack Obama may be the President, but we’d be foolish to we think that racial hatred is a thing of the past. It’s not.

FBI investigators in front of the bullet-ridden door at the Holocaust Memorial Museum

Extremism is undeniable to those who have the courage to look at the facts. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups across America, rising unemployment, anti-immigrant sentiment, and the fact that we have our first African-American president are inspiring a new generation of angry young men — and no small number of women — to extremism and hate.

Today marks the anniversary of the execution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy Mcveigh; but white supremacism and anti-government hate did not die with him. The militia movement receded from the headlines post 9/11, but it is alive and well.

soundoff(12 Responses)

@Isabel – In the US we have freedom of speech and thought – our Constitution guarantees this. No one can tell us what to think and we have the right to say what we think. We also have the right to not listen or ignore messages of hate. IF we were to lose those freedoms then the hate groups would have surely won. And that is the last thing we want.

June 12, 2009 at 6:43 pm |

Isabel, Brazil

Even the FBI classified the assassination on Wednesday as “domestic terrorism” and the FBI waving with a warning.

Jon Voight put Israel in a speech to the Republican National Committee in Congress, insinuating that President Obama is anti-Semitic. It isn’t for nothing that Angelina Jolie does not speak much with her father, actor Jon Voight.

The government, authorities and people have to quote and not allow such thoughts take power.

June 12, 2009 at 6:07 pm |

Carlisa

Rick: Are you serious? There's a KKK group in Indiana that has Black members. Oh my god i just can't rap my head around that. To be quite honest, this is'nt new. Anytime the economy suffers people panic, and instead of helping each other some people turn on others. This is truly sad, if we could all collectively speak to what is possible and focus on doing what we can right now in these very moment our country can come thru these crisis

June 12, 2009 at 3:34 pm |

JC- Los Angeles

Let's hope someone sits down Reverend Wright and explains that there is no place in America for hatred or bigotry.

How a US President tolerated him for twenty years is beyond comprehension.

June 12, 2009 at 3:13 pm |

Lampe

Mari: You said Limbaugh was telling a hugh LIE on his show. How do you know? And if you are against those kind of comments no matter who is saying them, then why do you listen to them? And also you people blaming Conservatives for making remarks, where have you been for at least the last 4 years? Because incase you have a short memory The Democrats, have been spewing the same hate-filled remarks against The Republicans. You can't expect someone else to STOP the Hate, when you yourself still do it.

June 12, 2009 at 3:02 pm |

cheyzellie

I cant live without watching CNN, they deliver very neutral and accurate news I believe so. why cant be Americans help the country to be back on track than showing how nutcase some ppl can be, I believe america the leader of the world, we from the small countries counting on the changes of a better future.. SAD World maniac madness everywhere ..

June 12, 2009 at 1:19 pm |

Mari

The Southern Poverty Law Center, was founded during the Civil Rights era to help African-Americans and others fighting to end racism in our Nation. They are right, the atmosphere is ripe for hate to be inflamed.

Conservatives need to take responsibility for their rhetoric, they need to beware that some of their listeners are not sane!

Just the other day Limbaugh was telling a huge LIE on his "show"........ he should be ashamed of himself for inciting hate, lies, fear and division.

June 12, 2009 at 1:13 pm |

barbara

we handle home grown hate the way we should have handled it in the past along with other criminal acts, procecute and incarcerate, build more jails (shovel ready projects, right???) america has been too lenient on criminals of all types thats what happens when there are no consequences for uncivilized, criminal bad behavior, the criminals are running the country, no more slap on the wrists put them away for good, whatis it when someone kills another and can plea bargain and walk afer no jail, a minimal jail term, we make it worth it for them. the time must fit the crime, and an eye foe an eye, i am a strong believer in the death penalty for killers, rapists(especially if its a child) this rapist has left a lifetime mark on their victims ans it has been proven that they cannot be cured, castration is not the key, rape is an act of hate and they will still kill and torture.

June 12, 2009 at 12:24 pm |

Rick

There's always going to be all kinds of hate groups. When they act up violently, then you smash them.You say there on the rise, But if you look at the rate of the population growth in the US just in the last decade and the Government welcoming everyone in the world into this country. I can see why. Theres a KKK group in Indiana that have Black members. And there welcomed.

June 12, 2009 at 12:24 pm |

Lora

Mike this is from their website do read about them and learn about what they do:

The Southern Poverty Law Center was founded in 1971 as a small civil rights law firm. Today, SPLC is internationally known for its tolerance education programs, its legal victories against white supremacists and its tracking of hate groups.

http://www.splcenter.org

They want to teach tolerance in this world and get rid of the hate groups. Which I agree with 1000% as a criminal justice grad student we as a nation and a world need to stand up now more than ever to hatred only we can stop it now.